A total of 126 men believed to be Burmese nationals were detained at Malaysia’s northern border on Thursday and Friday, according to Malaysian news agency Bernama quoting a local police chief.

A police statement said the men were all between 20 and 40, and had been arrested near Padang Besar border town.

Bernama quoted the police as saying that all the immigrants had been handed over to the Malaysian Immigration Department for investigation under Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, he said.

“Under the section, those found guilty of staying in this country without valid permit could be fined not more than RM10,000 or jailed for not more than five years or both and could be whipped not more than six lashes” the report said.